Universal trouble light support

ABSTRACT

A trouble or drop light construction is provided and includes an elongated handle having an endwise outwardly opening electrical socket at one end for receiving the base of an electric light bulb therein and an elongated laterally opening shield supported from one side of the socket end of the handle opening toward the opposite side. The outer end of the shield includes a transverse end wall as is conventional and the end wall has a mount supported therefrom for angular displacement about an axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle and a suspension hook has its base end oscillatably supported from the mount for angular displacement about an axis extending transversely of the hook and disposed generally normal to the axis of rotation of the mount. The hook is swingable between a laterally opening position and a laterally projecting position with the hook opening endwise outwardly of the end of the shield remote from the handle. Further, the end of the handle remote from the shield includes a laterally outwardly projecting member extending outwardly from the handle in a direction opposite to the direction in which the laterally projecting hook extends and the laterally outwardly projecting member and hook may be utilized as members spaced longitudinally of the trouble light about which the cord of the trouble light may be wrapped when not in use.

United States Patent [191 Goodwin [451 May 7,1974

[ UNIVERSAL TROUBLE LIGHT SUPPORT [76] Inventor: Charles M. Goodwin, Rt.No. 2,

Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 22 Filed: June 12, 1972 211 App]. No.: 261,679

[52] U.S. Cl 240/54 A, 240/102 B [51] Int. Cl F2lv 15/00, F2lv 21/00[58] Field of Search 240/54, 54 A, 102 B [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,569,068 9/1951 Maxwell 240/54 A 3,244,873 4/1966Leutheuser 2,085,683 6/1937 McGill 2,747,079 5/1956 Kubiliunas 240/54 AX 2,570,329 10/1951 Dunkelburger 240/54 A X 3,183,348 5/1965 Porter240/54 A Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-RichardA. Wintercorn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B.Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A trouble or drop light construction is providedand includes an elongated handle having an endwise outwardly openingelectrical socket at one end for receiving the base of an electric lightbulb therein and an elongated laterally opening shield supported fromone side of the socket end of the handle opening toward the oppositeside. The outer end of the shield includes a transverse end wall as isconventional and the end wall has a mount supported therefrom forangular displacement about an axis generally aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the handle and a suspension hook has its base endoscillatably supported from the mount for angular displacement about anaxis extending transversely of the hook and disposed generally normal tothe axis of rotation of the mount. The hook is swingable between alaterally opening position and a laterally projecting position with thehook opening endwise outwardly of the end of the shield remote from thehandle. Further, the end of the handle remote from the shield includes alaterally outwardly projecting member extending outwardly from thehandle in a direction opposite to the direction in which the laterallyprojecting hook extends and the laterally outwardly projecting memberand hook may be utilized as members spaced longitudinally of the troublelight about which the cord of the trouble light may be wrapped when notin use.

12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures ATENTEDHAY 11914 $809,883

SHEEI 1 0F 3 l UNIVERSAL TROUBLE LIGHT SUPPORT The trouble light of theinstant invention has been designed specifically to provide a meanswhereby the trouble light may be readily hung from various types ofsupports and the trouble light cord may be readily conveniently coiledabout supporting protions therefor carried by the trouble light so as toenable the cord of the light to be stored in a compact and orderlymanner.

The present invention not only encompasses the concept of constructingpresently manufactured trouble lights in accordance with the presentinvention but also the provision of attachments for existing trouble ordrop lights whereby they may be modified in accordance with the presentinvention.

The main object of this invention is to provide a trouble light with animproved suspension hook and mounting therefor whereby the trouble lightmay be suspended from various types of support members and in closequarters.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediatelypreceding object, to is provide a suspension assembly for a troublelight or drop light that will enable adjustment of the trouble light ordrop light relative to the supporting member therefor in a manner suchthat the light cast by the trouble light may be directed in the desireddirection.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a trouble lightconstructed in a manner whereby the electrical cord therefor may bereadily coiled and supported from the trouble light when not in use in aneat compact manner. v

A further important object of this invention is to provide variousattachments for different types of existing trouble lights whereby theymay be readily modified in accordance with the present invention.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a trouble light construction in accordance with the precedingobjects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be ofsimple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that willbe economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free inoperation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside 'in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa trouble or drop light constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 1 butwith the suspension hook thereof in an upright position and without theelectrical cord for the trouble light being coiled in its storageposition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower electrical cord supportingabutment member of the trouble light;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the plug end of theelectrical cord of the trouble light illustrating the electrical cordengaging hook supported therefrom;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the upper suspension assemblyof the drop light illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second form of troublelight having a slightly modified form of suspension hook assembly;

FIG. 9 is a readily attachable suspension assembly mount releasablyengaged with a conventional drop light shield and of a type to receivethe suspension assembly illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon a plane passing through the center of the assemblage illustrated inFIG. 8; and

FIG. 1 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon a plane passing through the center of the assemblage illustrated inFIG. 9.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10generally designates a somewhat conventional form of trouble lightincluding an elongated tubular handle 12 constructed of dielectricmaterial and having a pair of axially aligned sleeves l4 and 16 disposed therein. The adjacent ends of the sleeves l4 and 16 are joinedtogether in any conventional manner and the end of the sleeve 14 remotefrom the sleeve 16 defines a threaded socket 18 for the screw base of anelectric light bulb. The socket 18 includes a center terminal 20 towhich one conductor 22 of the electrical cord 24 of the trouble light 10is connected. The other conductor 26 of the cord 24 is electricallyconnected to the socket 18.

The tubular handle 12 includes an inner circumferential groove 28centrally intermediate the opposite ends of the sleeve 16 and the sleeve16 is provided with a laterally opening slot 29. In addition, the sleeve16 includes a coaxial annular abutment member 30 through whose centerthe electrical cord 24 extends and the portion of the electrical cord 24immediately beneath the annular abutment member 30 is crimped as at 32by means of a crimping ring 34 encircled about the cord 24 and the sideof the sleeve 16 remote from the slot 29, the ring 34 also extendingthrough the slot 29. The crimping of the cord 24 prevents longitudinalshifting of the cord 24 past the abutment member 30.

The end of the handle 12 through which the socket 18 opens has agenerally conventional electric light bulb shield 36 clamped thereto bymeans of an integral clamp portion 38. The shield 36 opens laterallyoutwardly of one side of the longitudinal axis of the handle 12 andincludes an end wall portion 40 on its end remote from the handle 12. Arigid mounting strap 42 including a partial cylindrical end portion 44has its end portion 44 secured, by rivets 46 to the end wall portion 40and the end of the strap 42 remote from the end portion 44 thereof isapertured as at 48 and projects outwardly from the open side of theshield 36.

A friction plate 50 apertured as at 52 is disposed over the outersurface of the outwardly projecting end of the strap 42 and a generallychannel shaped mount 54 having a semi-cylindrical or radiused bightportion 56 overlies the friction plate 50 and is secured to the strap 42with the friction plate 50 being clamped between the bight portion 56and the strap 42 by means of a threaded fastener 58 secured through acentral aperture 60 formed in the bight portion 56, the aperture 52 inthe friction plate 50 and the aperture 48 in the strap 42.

The side of the bight portion 56 opposing the friction plate 50 isprovided with outwardly projecting dimples 62 spaced circumferentiallyabout the aperture 60 and the dimples 62, by their engagement with thefriction plate 50, serve-to frictionally retain the channel shaped mount54 in adjusted rotated position about the fastener 58 which defines apivot fastener.

The side flanges of the channel shaped member 54 are laterally offsettoward each other adjacent their free edges to define a pair of closelyspaced apart mounting tabs 64 provided with registered apertures 66 andthe eye end 68 of the shank 69 of a hook member 70 is clamped betweenthe tabs 64 by means of a threaded fastener 7-2, the hook end 71 of thehook member 70 opening outwardly transversely of the shank 69. i

The end of the handle 12 remote from the socket 18 includes a recess .76in which a mounting tab 78, see FIGS. 3 and 5, is secured. One end ofthe tab 78 is coiled, as at 80, about a transverse pin portion 82 at oneend of an elongated abutment member 84 and the abutment member 84 isswingable relative to the tab 78 between the phantom and solid linepositions thereof illustrated in FIG. of the drawings. The abutmentmember 84 includes a central opening 86 through which the adjacent endof the handle 12 (see FIG. 3) is receivable and the free swinging end ofthe abutment member 84 is provided with a notched resilient body 88. Theelectrical cord 24 may have any portion thereof frictionally retainedwithin the notched portion of the body 88. I

The plug end 90 of the cord 24 has an annular abutment member 92disposed thereon and extending thereabout and one rolled end 94 of anelongated hook is engaged with the plug end 90 of the cord 24 betweenthe abutment member 92 and the plug 96 carried by the cord 24. The otherend of the hook 98 is coiled as at 100 for releasable engagement withany desired portion of theelectrical wire 24 in a manner deemedto beobvious from FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 8 of the drawingsthere will be seen a modified form of shield 36' to whose outer end wallportion 40' a mount-' ing plate 42' corresponding to the strap 42 issecured by soldering. The plate 42' may be utilized to support thechannel shaped mount 54 in the same manner in which the channel shapedmount 54 is supported from the strap 42. Of course, the mount 54 will beprovided with the hook 70 when supported from the plate 42.v

Further, the shield 36' includes a positioning crease 35 in which theshank 69 of the hook member 70 is positionable.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 9 of the drawings,there will be seen a third form of shield referred to by the referencenumeral 36" and which includes a diametrically reduced sleeve portion 37for encircling the adjacent end of the handle 12. A mounting plate 42"is provided and includes an outwardly projecting free end portionterminating in an underlying reversely bent portion 45. However, thereversely bent portion 45 includes a slightly angulated end 47 whichcoacts with the plate or strap 42' to define a notch 49 in which thefreeedge of the end wall portion 40" of the shield 36" is seatinglyreceived. The

4 end of the strap or plate 42' remote from the reversely bent portion45- thereof is provided with a slot 51 through which one end of ananchor strap 53 is secured. The other end of the anchor strap 53 isprovided with a reversely bent portion55 for reception beneath thediametrically reduced sleeve portion 37 whereby the reversely bent .endportion 55 may-be clamped between the inner surfaces of the sleeveportion 37 and the opposing outer surface portions of the handle 12.Accordingly, it may be seen that a suspension assembly including thechannel shaped member 54 and hook may be readily secured to theconventional shield 36' merely by soldering thelplate or strap 42' totheend wall 40'. Further, a similar suspension assembly may also besupported from a conventional shield through the utilization of theplate 42" and anchoring strap 53.

In addition to the hook member 70 being positionable with its shank 69within the crease 35 formed in the shield 36' of that form of theinvention illustrated in FIG. 8, the hook member 70 includes a straightterminal'end 73 whose free end isflattened as at in order to form ablade-like end for facilitating the support of the shield 36' indifferent locations such as with the blade end 75 wedged betweenadjacent wall boards. In addition, inasmuch as the hook member 70 isfrictionally retained in adjusted located position relative to thechannel shaped member 54 and the latter is frictionally retained inadjusted rotated position relative to the associated trouble lightshield, each disclosed form of trouble light may be readily supported inthe precise orientation desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be restorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A trouble or drop light construction including an I elongated tubularhandle provided with means defining a light bulb receiving socketassembly opening outwardly of one end of said handle, elongated flexibleelectric cord means electrically connected at one end to said socketassembly within said handle and passing outwardly of the other end ofsaid handle, an elongated laterally opening shield secured to andprojecting endwise outwardly from one side portion of said one end ofsaid handle and including an outer transverse end wall having a forwardmarginal edge facing in the direction in which said shield opens, arigid mounting member supported from said end wall and projectingforwardly of the forward marginal edge of said end wall, achannel-shaped'mount including an upwardly convex partial cylindricalbight portion and a pair of opposite side upwardly projecting sideflanges, a friction plate overlying said mounting member and having saidbight portion secured thereover by means of a tensioned pivot fastenersecured through the central portions of said bight portion and frictionplate and the portion of said mounting member over which the frictionplate lies, upper end portions of said side flanges being laterallyoffset toward each other, a hook member including a hook end and a shankend, said shank end of said hook member including an integral eyeportion disposed in a plane generally paralleling said shank end, saidintegral eye portion being disposed between said laterally offset upperend portions of said side flanges, and a tensioned pivot fastenersecured through said side flange upper end portions and said eye portionwith the opposing side surfaces of said side flange upper end portionsclampingly engaging said eye portion therebetween.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mounting member is riveted tosaid end wall.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mounting member is fused tosaid end wall.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the hook end of said hook memberopens generally laterally of said shank end and the second-mentionedaxis, said hook member being swingable between limit positions with saidhook end opening in opposite directions extending longitudinally of saidhandle.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the other end of said handleincludes a laterally outwardly projecting abutment member extendingoutwardly of the side of the handle remote from the side thereofoutwardly of which said hook member projects when said hook end opensaway from said other end of said handle, said flexible electric cordmeans being windable about said abutment member and said hook end ofsaid hook member.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the end of said electric cordmeans remote from said handle includes a hook member attached theretoreleasably engageable with any other portion of said electrical cordmeans disposed exteriorly of said handle and adjacent said one end ofsaid electrical cord means.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said abutment member includes anopening extending transversely therethrough through which the free endof said electrical cord means is receivable.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the interior of said handleincludes clamp means through which said one end portion of saidelectrical cord means extends frictionally engaged with said electricalcord means for preventing longitudinal shifting of said electrical cordmeans relative to said handle.

9. A trouble or drop light construction including an elongated tubularhandle provided with means defining a light bulb receiving socketassembly opening outwardly of one end of said handle, elongated flexibleelectric cord means electrically connected at one end to said socketassembly within said handle and passing outwardly of the other end ofsaid handle, an elongated laterally opening shield secured to andprojecting endwise outwardly from one side portion of said one end ofsaid handle and including an outer transverse end wall, a mountsupported from said end wall of said shield for angular displacementabout an axis generally paralleling the longitudinal centerline of saidshield, a hook member including a hook end and a shank end, meanspivotally securing said shank end of said hook member to said mount forangular displacement about an axis disposed generally normal to thefirstmentioned axis and extending transversely of said shank end, amounting plate secured to said end wall, said mount being supported fromsaid mounting plate for angular displacement about the first-mentionedaxis, said mounting plate including means defining a notch in which thefree edge portion of said end wall is seated, and a tension strap havingone end anchored to said mounting plate, said strap extending over theouter surface of the outer side of said shield and including means onits other end anchored to the end of said shield supported from said oneend of said handle.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means pivotally securingsaid mount to said end wall includes means frictionally retaining saidmount in adjusted rotated positions, said means pivotally securing saidshank end to said mount including means for frictionally retaining saidhook member in adjusted rotated position relative to said mount.

11. The combination of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said shieldremote from the open side thereof includes an outwardly openinglongitudinally extending crease adjacent the outer end of the shield inwhich the shank of the hook member is receivable when the hook member isswung backwardly away from the open side of the shield.

12. The combination of claim 1 wherein the free terminal end of saidhook member is flattened to define a screwdriver-type.blade for wedgingbetween closely adjacent support members in order to support the troublelight therefrom.

1. A trouble or drop light construction including an elongated tubularhandle provided with means defining a light bulb receiving socketassembly opening outwardly of one end of said handle, elongated flexibleelectric cord means electrically connected at one end to said socketassembly within said handle and passing outwardly of the other end ofsaid handle, an elongated laterally opening shield secured to andprojecting endwise outwardly from one side portion of said one end ofsaid handle and including an outer transverse end wall having a forwardmarginal edge facing in the direction in which said shield opens, arigid mounting member supported from said end wall and projectingforwardly of the forward marginal edge of said end wall, achannel-shaped mount including an upwardly convex partial cylindricalbight portion and a pair of opposite side upwardly projecting sideflanges, a friction plate overlying said mounting member and having saidbight portion secured thereover by means of a tensioned pivot fastenersecured through the central portions of said bight portion and frictionplate and the portion of said mounting member over which the frictionplate lies, upper end portions of said side flanges being laterallyoffset toward each other, a hook member including a hook end and a shankend, said shank end of said hook member including an integral eyeportion disposed in a plane generally paralleling said shank end, saidintegral eye portion being disposed between said laterally offset upperend portions of said side flanges, and a tensioned pivot fastenersecured through said side flange upper end portions and said eye portionwith the opposing side surfaces of said side flange upper end portionsclampingly engaging said eye portion therebetween.
 2. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said mounting member is riveted to said end wall.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wHerein said mounting member is fused to said endwall.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the hook end of said hookmember opens generally laterally of said shank end and thesecond-mentioned axis, said hook member being swingable between limitpositions with said hook end opening in opposite directions extendinglongitudinally of said handle.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein theother end of said handle includes a laterally outwardly projectingabutment member extending outwardly of the side of the handle remotefrom the side thereof outwardly of which said hook member projects whensaid hook end opens away from said other end of said handle, saidflexible electric cord means being windable about said abutment memberand said hook end of said hook member.
 6. The combination of claim 5wherein the end of said electric cord means remote from said handleincludes a hook member attached thereto releasably engageable with anyother portion of said electrical cord means disposed exteriorly of saidhandle and adjacent said one end of said electrical cord means.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6 wherein said abutment member includes an openingextending transversely therethrough through which the free end of saidelectrical cord means is receivable.
 8. The combination of claim 1wherein the interior of said handle includes clamp means through whichsaid one end portion of said electrical cord means extends frictionallyengaged with said electrical cord means for preventing longitudinalshifting of said electrical cord means relative to said handle.
 9. Atrouble or drop light construction including an elongated tubular handleprovided with means defining a light bulb receiving socket assemblyopening outwardly of one end of said handle, elongated flexible electriccord means electrically connected at one end to said socket assemblywithin said handle and passing outwardly of the other end of saidhandle, an elongated laterally opening shield secured to and projectingendwise outwardly from one side portion of said one end of said handleand including an outer transverse end wall, a mount supported from saidend wall of said shield for angular displacement about an axis generallyparalleling the longitudinal centerline of said shield, a hook memberincluding a hook end and a shank end, means pivotally securing saidshank end of said hook member to said mount for angular displacementabout an axis disposed generally normal to the first-mentioned axis andextending transversely of said shank end, a mounting plate secured tosaid end wall, said mount being supported from said mounting plate forangular displacement about the first-mentioned axis, said mounting plateincluding means defining a notch in which the free edge portion of saidend wall is seated, and a tension strap having one end anchored to saidmounting plate, said strap extending over the outer surface of the outerside of said shield and including means on its other end anchored to theend of said shield supported from said one end of said handle.
 10. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said means pivotally securing said mountto said end wall includes means frictionally retaining said mount inadjusted rotated positions, said means pivotally securing said shank endto said mount including means for frictionally retaining said hookmember in adjusted rotated position relative to said mount.
 11. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said shield remotefrom the open side thereof includes an outwardly opening longitudinallyextending crease adjacent the outer end of the shield in which the shankof the hook member is receivable when the hook member is swungbackwardly away from the open side of the shield.
 12. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein the free terminal end of said hook member is flattenedto define a screwdriver-type blade for wedging between closely adjacentsupport members in order to support the trouble light therefrom.